Comparison

Code Reader vs Barcode generator and scanner

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Code Reader

Easily scan, generate, and share QR codes and barcodes. Quickly read various code types, including links, contacts, and product information. Generate new codes from text, emails, or Wi-Fi details, and utilize convenient extensions for seamless integration.

Highlights
  • Scan QR codes and barcodes
  • Generate QR codes and barcodes
  • Read codes from images via extension
  • Generate codes from text, email, Wi-Fi
  • Save and share scanned/generated codes
  • Automatic web page opening for product barcodes
  • Scanner preview with zoom and stabilization
Read full description

A feature-rich QR and barcode scanner: scan, generate, and share codes — fast and privately. Scan codes with text, links, contacts, emails, locations, Wi‑Fi networks, product barcodes, and more. When you scan a code, the app acts on it intelligently: links open in the browser, email addresses let you compose a message quickly, and vCards can be viewed or added to Contacts. You can read codes with the camera or generate them in the app — plus use action extensions to scan or create codes from other apps.¹ Spotted a QR code in a photo or on a website? Use the Read Code extension to scan it instantly.¹ Main features • Scan with the camera — text, links, contacts, emails, product barcodes, Wi‑Fi, and more • Read QR codes and 1‑D barcodes from images with the Read Code extension¹ • Product barcodes can open relevant web pages or Amazon (configurable in Settings) • Generate QR codes and 1‑D barcodes • Create codes from text, links, contacts, email, SMS, phone numbers, and Wi‑Fi • Join Wi‑Fi networks automatically from a scanned code • Scan and save multiple codes in one session • Generate a code from text, a link, or a contact with the Generate QR extension¹ • Smooth up to 60fps scanner preview with optical image stabilization and zoom (including optical 2× zoom on iPhones with dual cameras) • Optionally copy scanned content to the clipboard automatically • Option to prefer HTTPS and avoid insecure websites • Recents for scanned and generated codes, with search and filters • Custom QR colors — two‑finger tap on the image or use the menu when viewing a code • Share any barcode • Custom URL scheme to generate QR codes from a URL or text² • Widgets for recent codes and quick access to the scanner Code Reader Pro Upgrade to Code Reader Pro for advanced tools — no ads, and your data stays on your device. Choose monthly, yearly, or a one‑time lifetime unlock. Pro includes: • Batch scan — read many codes from photos or PDFs at once • Export & import history — back up or move your scan library (CSV/JSON) • Custom names — label scans so you can find them quickly • Starred scans — pin important codes and filter your history • Notes — add context to any saved scan • QR codes with logo — embed your brand in generated codes • High‑res & PDF export — share sharp QR images and PDFs • Link safety warnings — alerts for suspicious links (IP addresses, punycode, mixed scripts, and more) before you open them Restore purchases anytime from the Pro screen. ¹ The extension might need to be enabled manually: open the share menu, tap More at the bottom, and turn on the app extensions (Activities). ² Try it in a browser or messaging app: add generateqr:// before a URL or text to open the app and generate a QR code image. - Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ - Privacy Policy: https://illescasdaniel.github.io/qr-code-reader-app-info/

About

Barcode generator and scanner

Create, scan, and share various types of barcodes and QR codes. Customize their appearance with colors, transparency, and even add logos or images to QR codes. Supports multiple languages and includes text-to-speech functionality.

Highlights
  • Generate various barcode types
  • Scan barcodes and QR codes
  • Share generated codes
  • Customize barcode colors
  • Artistic QR code customization
  • Text-to-speech functionality
Features
Read full description

Powerful barcode and QR code generator and scanner. Languages: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese simplified, Chinese traditional, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu and Vietnamese. Generate, scan, and share many types of barcodes and QR codes. Please note: not all barcode formats are supported on every device. Scan barcodes and QR codes directly from images stored on your device. Create artistic QR codes with extensive customization options: Gradients, custom shapes, custom colors, logo/foreground images, background images. Create smart QR codes for: geolocation, contacts, URLs, and more. Simply choose a type, enter your details, and generate your QR code instantly. QR code text compression is supported. When enabled in the settings, the content is compressed using GZip to reduce size. To read compressed QR codes, a compatible scanner is required, such as the scanner included in this app. Text-to-speech is supported. Available languages depend on your device. Privacy: works offline, no data is being sent to me.

Screenshots

Code Reader4 screens
Barcode generator and scanner4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Barcode generator and scanner at 100% against Code Reader's 64%. Barcode generator and scanner also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 7) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). Code Reader's advantage is ratings volume (243 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Code Reader sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Barcode generator and scanner asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Barcode generator and scanner holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Code Reader has 243 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Code Reader's written reviews are positive against 100% of Barcode generator and scanner's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and August 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Code Reader versus Barcode generator and scanner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCode ReaderBarcode generator and scanner
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (243 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews64.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings243 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB84 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperDaniel ILLESCAS ROMEROGeert Geerits

Customer experience

Code Reader

All ratings224 ratings
Positive92.0%
Neutral1.8%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews114 reviews
Positive64.0%
Neutral2.6%
Negative33.3%

Barcode generator and scanner

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Code Reader

Reported bugs

15 issues
  • App not working after MacOS update
  • Cannot get permissions to save
  • QR codes not readable by Mac camera
  • App crashes QREncoder
  • Sequence of letters then stops
Show 10 more
  • Camera doesn't focus on QR code
  • No 'Take picture' or red button
  • Account closed for misuse (reported scam)
  • Error scanning WiFi QR codes
  • Contact access without privacy section
  • Inaccurate barcode numbers
  • Cannot scan from files/photos
  • Donation button error
  • Errors when scanning
  • Cannot open scanned content

Requested features

9 requests
  • Add date & time to QR history
  • Option to select camera
  • Ability to save QR codes
  • Support for SVG files
  • Add logos to QR codes
Show 4 more
  • Choose QR code color
  • Generate QR codes from photos
  • Dynamic QR codes
  • Widget support

Barcode generator and scanner

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Code Reader

Subscriptions2
  • Code Reader Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Code Reader Pro Yearly$9.991 Year
One-time5
  • Donation 1$0.99
  • Donation 2$1.99
  • Donation 5$4.99
Show 2 more
  • Donation 10$8.99
  • Code Reader Pro Lifetime$29.99
None

Barcode generator and scanner

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Code Reader free?
Code Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Barcode generator and scanner free?
Barcode generator and scanner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Code Reader or Barcode generator and scanner?
Barcode generator and scanner is rated higher. Code Reader averages 4.6 out of 5 from 243 ratings, while Barcode generator and scanner averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Code Reader or Barcode generator and scanner have ads?
Neither Code Reader nor Barcode generator and scanner shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Code Reader or Barcode generator and scanner?
Code Reader ships an update every 6 weeks, and Barcode generator and scanner every 6 weeks. Most recently, Code Reader was updated on September 18, 2026 and Barcode generator and scanner on August 21, 2026.

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